Northland's sea temperature driven up by hovering high

John Hanton of Whangārei and his dog Jazz enjoy a fine spring morning on the Hatea Loop in Whangārei's Town Basin. Photo/Michael Cunningham

Northlanders are being warned to enjoy their swimming and beach activities this week as the weather is expected to change come the weekend.

MetService meteorologist Georgina Griffiths said the average sea temperature around Northland's coast was currently close to 17C.

She said this is about half a degree warmer than the average for this time of year.

"The sea temperatures around the Northland coastline have risen sharply over the last fortnight, due to an unusually persistent high preventing strong winds in the area."

Griffiths encouraged people to enjoy their swimming or beach activities this week because by the weekend a return to windier, more changeable weather was expected.

"Don't get out the bikinis just yet," Griffiths said. "A colder than usual start to November is forecast."

Niwa's three-month outlook from October to December shows temperatures are expected to be near average and rainfall is expected to be normal to below normal over three months as summer arrives.

The short term weather forcast looks "pretty good" for Northland, says MetService meteorologist April Clark.

Today the weather was expected to be a repeat of yesterday with morning cloud turning into a fine day. There is a possibility for some isolated showers on the eastern side of the region.

Tomorrow is much the same with long fine spells with cloud increasing in the evening and light winds.

Clark said that on Friday a front that has been affecting other parts of the country moves over Northland. That will bring cloudy periods and a few showers.

Temperatures are staying pretty consistent throughout the week, with highs expected to be in the low 20s.

Niwa meteorologist Ben Noll said temperatures were a couple of degrees above average for this time of year.

The weekend forecast was looking a bit unsettled, with a few showers on Saturday that were expected to turn into rain on Sunday.